Chapter 110: Clues to the Fusion of Professions [Ancient Alchemy]

Chapter 110: Clues to the Fusion of Professions [Ancient Alchemy]

"One of the academy's finest alchemy instructors", Holt whispered, guiding Luo En toward the Elemental Affinity registration desk. "Though his spiritual energy cultivation only reaches the High Apprentice level, he's a seasoned alchemy master."

His teaching style breaks free from textbook constraints, emphasizing practical application. For someone who's already a Potion Master, this approach is far more efficient."

Luo En nodded gratefully. "Thank you for the recommendation."

Holt shook his head slightly. "No need for thanks. Within the School, we're always willing to offer guidance to those with genuine innate talent."

After completing registration for Elemental Affinity, the two stepped outside the hall into a quiet courtyard. A gentle breeze carried a faint floral fragrance.

"Luo En", Holt suddenly stopped, his tone turning serious. "How much do you know about 'Boons'?"

The direct question tightened Luo En's chest. Boons were secret knowledge within the mage world, rarely discussed among apprentices. Mentioning it now was clearly a test.

Luo En chose his words carefully. "Madame Ellen mentioned something about them."

Holt's eyes flickered briefly before he nodded, seemingly satisfied. "I see. Madame Ellen rarely shares core knowledge with ordinary apprentices. It seems she holds you in high regard."

He glanced around to ensure privacy. "Since you're already aware of Boons, some information might prove useful. Many School courses appear to teach knowledge, but they're actually searching for apprentices capable of providing Boons."

He gestured toward the two courses Luo En had registered for. "Both have advanced tracks. After completing foundational courses, Mentors selectively offer deeper guidance based on student performance."

Luo En nodded thoughtfully. This aligned with what Madame Ellen had shared.

"The most notable aspect", Holt continued, his eyes flashing rare enthusiasm, "is that the Elemental Affinity advanced course offers qualified students a free spell model from their Mentor."

"A Spell Model?" Luo En raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Yes, though not a perfected, ready-to-use one", Holt clarified. "Rather, it's an incomplete prototype—a personal creation of the Mentor."

Luo En's eyes widened. "So this is one mechanism of Boons—Mentors provide unfinished concepts, and students develop them through their own understanding and effort. The growth and breakthroughs achieved during this process then feed back to the Mentor."

Holt's gaze held approval. "You grasp things quickly. This is why mage circles circulate so many free academic journals containing incomplete spell prototypes and theoretical frameworks."

"By inspiring others to refine immature ideas, Mentors gain more Boons", Luo En mused.

"Exactly. A win-win strategy", Holt confirmed. "Unfortunately, Black Mist Jungle's remoteness means these valuable journals rarely reach apprentices. That's why many choose paid courses—they're the only way to access high-quality arcane knowledge."

As they walked along the stone path, flowers swayed gently in the breeze.

"I've noticed many apprentices studying multiple magecrafts simultaneously", Luo En voiced his concern. "Doesn't this scatter their focus?"

Holt smiled understandingly. "That's a common misconception. All magecrafts share fundamental connections, especially at foundational theory levels. Mastering one significantly accelerates learning related disciplines."

He paused, searching for a simple analogy. "Take alchemy and potion-making—they both involve material transformation and mana manipulation, just applied differently. A Potion Master will learn alchemy far faster than ordinary apprentices."

Luo En chuckled. "That eases my worries. I feared studying multiple disciplines might dilute my focus."

Holt glanced at the sky's color, nodding. "Time's short—I have Enforcement Team duties. Your first Alchemy Practical class is this afternoon. Good luck."

"Thank you for your information and guidance, Holt Senior", Luo En said sincerely. "If I can ever assist you, feel free to send word."

Holt waved a hand, a trace of wistfulness in his eyes. "Knowledge sharing benefits both in the School. Next time you have alchemy questions, I hope to consult you too. It's...embarrassing to admit I've studied alchemy nearly a decade yet remain just a senior apprentice. The gap between mediocrity and true genius is vast."

Watching Holt depart, Luo En's mind churned. "Alchemy Practical, Elemental Affinity..." He sighed. "Plus bloodline activation research. This month will be busy."

That afternoon, Luo En arrived promptly at the Alchemy Practical classroom. The hexagonal chamber featured a massive central workbench surrounded by twelve student stations, each equipped with basic alchemy tools and common materials.

Most students wore Elementary Apprentice gray robes, though a few displayed profession badges. Luo En noticed everyone appeared several years older than him.

An elderly man in a deep brown robe with silver-trimmed cuffs entered. "Welcome to Alchemy Practical. I am Professional Alchemy Master Thompson, your guide into alchemy's world for the next month." His gaze lingered on Luo En with interest.

"Today we begin with alchemy's first fundamental skill—material purification." He produced a seemingly ordinary black stone. "Before any transformation, material purity is essential."

With a peculiar hand seal, the stone glowed, separating into multiple colored substances. "This simple stone contains various elements. Learning to identify and separate them is alchemy's first step."

For two hours, Thompson detailed purification principles and techniques, demonstrating foundational operations. Luo En meticulously recorded details—his Potion Master experience made foundational alchemy concepts surprisingly accessible.

"Now, each of you has a raw stone", Thompson announced. "Attempt the elemental separation techniques I've shown."

Luo En studied the gray stone, inhaled deeply. Though he'd read similar procedures in Alchemy Foundational, this was his first practical attempt.

He performed the taught hand seal, channeling spiritual energy. At first nothing happened. Adjusting his energy flow to a gentler approach, faint glows emerged—threads of different colors surfaced.

[New Skill Acquired: Alchemy (Entry-Level)]
[Alchemy (Entry-Level) Experience +1]

"Excellent, Potion Master Luo En", Thompson's voice sounded behind him. "Your spiritual energy control is exceptionally precise—alchemy's most critical foundation."

Luo En nodded humbly. "Thank you, Mentor Thompson. Potion brewing also requires precise energy control, which likely gives me an advantage."

"Alchemy and potion-making indeed share many connections", Thompson agreed, eyes gleaming. "Both seek to transform matter for specific purposes, though with different focuses."

He pointed at the glowing threads. "See these? Red represents fire element, blue water, and those tiny golden particles are rare light elements."

Luo En observed carefully, sensing distinct energy fluctuations from each color.

"Next you'll learn to separate and preserve these elements", Thompson continued. "Advanced courses teach recombining them to create new substances with specific properties."

"Is that alchemy's core?" Luo En asked, eyes shining with curiosity.

"One could say so", Thompson nodded. "Decomposition and recombination—understanding the world's composition to reshape it by will. That is alchemy's essence."

His words reminded Luo En of the Simulation Combat Device—a product of alchemy and spirit-type spell fusion, altering perception to create virtual yet real experiences.

"Mentor Thompson", Luo En hesitated before asking, "how much can alchemy truly change reality?"

Thompson's eyes darkened with depth. "An excellent question. Every alchemist seeks that ultimate answer."

"Some say alchemy only transforms matter", he mused. "Others believe it touches reality's essence. If one day you fuse three mainstream magecrafts into one, becoming the legendary [Ancient Alchemist], perhaps you'll find the true answer."

[Three mainstream magecrafts fused for Ancient Alchemist?]

This revelation ignited Luo En's interest. Perhaps future profession advancements lay in such fusion...

He immersed himself in foundational alchemy studies, absorbing every detail.

[Alchemy Experience +1]
[Alchemy Experience +1]
[Alchemy Experience +1]
...
[Current Progress: Alchemy (Entry-Level 13/50)]

By class end, Luo En's understanding of alchemy reached its initial stage. As Holt predicted, these disciplines interconnected—his Basic Alchemy Manual allowed rapid entry-level mastery.

"Today's session concludes", Thompson announced. "Review today's lessons. Next class covers preserving separated elements and their basic properties."

As students departed, Thompson approached Luo En. "Potion Master Luo En, your comprehension exceeds ordinary apprentices. If interested, stay for extra practice."

Luo En recognized this rare opportunity—Thompson had seen his potential. "Thank you, Mentor Thompson. I'd be honored."

Thompson nodded. "Alchemy requires relentless practice. Theory alone suffices for no one."

After the classroom emptied, Thompson retrieved a small metal box from his robe. "This might interest you."

Luo En accepted the box, carefully opening it to reveal a crystal emitting faint purple light.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end